Midget toothbrush



July 20, 1943. D. .1 -MAYEUx 2,324,789

MIDGET TOOTHBRUSH Filed Nov. 14, 1941 Srmentot .Dandy J Mayenne Patenredinly 2o,v 1943 ,f

)UNIT-ED, STATES PATENT nNjoFJFicEfiii ,V lanzarse- 3 iMmGE'r '.roo'rHRUsn` `Dandy J. Mayeux, Phlladelphimla. f Application nn'veniber 14,1941,seria1No. 4110er" f i ZClaims.

My invention relates te;v midget toothbrushes, and certain objects ofthe invention are to provide a miniature toothbrushwhose handle and head are preferablymade oflone piece foicard-` board or the like that is highly compressed and impregnated withlsonie sort f of water resisting substance so that n will be sufficiently ma, streng and water-proof to `withstand the `strain and con-- tact` with water whilebrushing ones teethffor at v least onetime.

'Other objects are to provide a toothbrushrthat is sov cheaply `constructed that it maybe sold in ineadlfiap s for-the :un 1engtnorthehead`and f handle pemens orme brush.`

`".l'heside head :flaps 6 and 1 are separated from the 1side handle flaps `8 "and 3 by transverse slits I1 extending respectively from the edges of the `cardbcnsird to the dash lines `I I; 'as'shown inrFig.

1 of the drawing. These slitsallow the sidel head and handle flapsto be folded and secured sepa-V 1 rately as will be understood. An end flap I3 `may slot vending machines, or in packages of `a dozen or more and at such a low price that it may be discarded after one usage.

Further objects are to provide a toothbrush made of one piece of cardboard or the like, thatis so designed that it may be folded along predetermined lines to form a flat reenforced head backing upon which bristles are secured, and a hollow handle in which suillient tooth powder or paste is contained for cleaning the teeth at least one time.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view showing the pattern or design in one ilat piece of cardboard or the like for forming the head and handle of the toothlbrush;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view showing the head extension flap and the head side flaps folded and secured to form the reenforc'ed head of the toothbrush;

Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal vertical section of the completely formed toothbrush with bristles attached to its head and its hollow handle filled with tooth powder or paste; and

Fig. 4 is a view in transverse vertical section 'taken on a broken line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Referring in detail to the drawing wherein like reference numerals designate like parts in the several views, the fiat design of the device, which is preferably made of a single piece of cardboard or the'like, consists in part of an extension head flap 5 and two oppositely disposed side headilaps 6 and 1; all of which parts collectively form the reenforced head portion of the brush when properly folded and secured as hereinafter described.

The handle portion of the brush consistsv of two oppositely disposed handle side flaps 8 and 9,

be provided for sealing the rear end ot the hollow handle whenthe brush iscompletely formed as more fully hereinafter set `forth. i 1 w The first step in formingthe toothbrush, shown in Fig. 2 ofthe drawing, consists in folding the Ahead extension flap 5 over against theiback I0.

pressing it flat, and preferably though not necesglue or other water-proof adhesive.

` the extension liap 5 by means of water-proof adheslve. These two steps form the head backing of the brush.

The handle of the brush is formed by folding or creasing the handle flaps 8 and 8 along the lines I l. These handle flaps are then bent around until their longitudinal edge portions overlap each other, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and are secured together by means of water-proof adhesive to provide a somewhat conical longitudinal chamber I4 within the handle. This can best be done by bending the handle flaps around upon form of the proper shape.

The head of the brush is completed by secnri fr, bristles I5 thereto. These bristles may stapled through, or otherwise secured to a fabric or other backing I6, and this bristle backing is secured to the flat folded head flaps 6 and 1 by means of water-proof adhesive. The last step consists in` filling the handle chamber Il with tooth powder, paste or other dentifrice, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing, and then sealing the end flap I3.V This flap may be 'sealed by means of water-proof adhesive and the application of liquid wax to make it water-proof, or a .be used in breaking the seal.

and the back of the brush, as designated by the numeral I0, is formed v'by folding or creasing In the formation of the head portion ofthe brush, it will be noticed in Figs. 2 and 3 that the inner end portion of the head extension flap 5 extends inwardly beyond the slits I2 in its folded position, 'and that the'inner end. portion of the folded handle naps 8 and 9 is/natly secured thereto. It will also be observed that the inner or transverse edges of the head flaps 6 and 1 and of the bristle backing i6 abut against the double thickness of the inner end of the handle flaps 8 and 9. When said portions are secured in these positions, a strongly reenforced head is provided. Water-proof adhesive is used in securing all parts, and the entire cardboard is stiff and strong and is impregnated with Water resisting substance so that the brush may be used for suiiicient time to clean the teeth at least one time without bending or collapsing.

It will now be apparent that I have provided a miniature toothbrush of strong construction which can be manufactured and sold at such low cost that it may be thrown away after one usage. It may be sold by means of vending machines, or in packages and is very handy for use by men in the naval and military service, house guests, and when traveling. While I have described the brush as being`made of cardboard, it will be understood that other inexpensivematerial may be used in its construction. I also preferably use mohair or rug-like material for the bristles to reduce the cost of the brush.

I claim: v

1. A toothbrush comprising 'a handle and -head portion formed from an elongated piece of stiff cardboard or the like, scored by spaced lines, lengthwise thereof, and setting off a central back panel and opposite side flaps the length of the piece; said flaps being cut by aligned slits perpendicular to the back panel and thereby setting off the brush head at one end of the handle portion; there also being an extension portion of said cardboard integral with the back panel of the head portion corresponding in width thereto, and folded back and flatly against the under side of said back panel; said flap portions along the opposite side of the head portion being folded inwardly to overlap the back-turned extension portion, andisaid flaps of the handle portion being folded inwardly to cooperate with said back panel to form a handle body, and a brush applied and secured to said inturned flaps of said head portion. l

2. A toothbrush comprising a handle and head portion formed from an elongated piece of stiff cardboard or the like scored by spaced lines lengthwise thereof, and setting off a central back panel and opposite side flaps the length of the piece; said flaps being cut by aligned slits perpendicular to the back panel and thereby setting off the brush head at one end of the handle portion; there also being an extension portion of said cardboard integral with the back panel of the head portion corresponding in width thereto, and folded back and flatly against the under side of said back panel; said flap portions along the opposite side of the head portion being folded inwardly to overlap the back turned extension portion; and said flaps of the handle portion being folded inwardly to engage along their edges and to cooperate with said back panel to form a hollow closed handle body, and a brush applied and secured to said inturned aps of the said head portion; said hollow handle body being closed at the head end, and there being a ap integral with the back panel serving as a closure for the outer end of the handle whereby to adapt it for the holding of a dentifrice.

DANDY J. MAYEUX. 

